The contemporary art festival "Kobe Rokko Meets Art 2026 Beyond" will take place on Rokko Mountain in Kobe from August 29 to November 29, 2026. Alongside the main exhibition, this year's program includes a special concert by Inoue Ryo — the artist known for the popular NHK E-TV show Bijutune! — as well as several hands-on programs designed for children to experience art.
1. Inoue Ryo Concert
Let's Meet in Kobe! Inoue Ryo Concert
Inoue Ryo, the creator of Bijutune! — the NHK E-TV program that introduces world art through songs and animation — will perform live at Orbis Hall at Kobe Fashion Museum on September 12, 2026 (Saturday). Two sessions will be held: a morning session from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM and an afternoon session from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
Tickets are priced at ¥1,000 (tax included, reserved seating). A separate Kobe Rokko Meets Art viewing passport is also required for entry. Children aged 3 and above require a ticket; children aged 2 and under may attend on a parent's lap free of charge.
Ticket Sales:
- Priority lottery application: June 15 (Monday) to July 5 (Sunday) — via Asoview
- General first-come-first-served sales: From July 17 (Friday) until sold out
2. 2,000 Children Free Invitation Campaign
Up to 2,000 children between the ages of 4 and 12 can receive a free viewing passport under a special invitation campaign.
Application Period: June 1 (Monday) 2026 to August 28 (Friday) 2026 (closes when capacity is reached)
Eligibility:
- Children aged 4 to 12 who come with a parent or guardian
- One parent or guardian may apply for up to 2 children, one time only
- A separate viewing passport is required for the accompanying adult
How to Apply: Purchase a viewing passport that includes a free children's admission ticket via Asoview, or apply for the free children's admission ticket directly. A paper ticket exchange is required during the festival period.
3. Children's Programs
Each Sunday throughout the festival period — and also on November 3 (Tuesday, Culture Day) — a range of programs will be available for children to experience contemporary art, music, and other creative expressions through movement, crafts, and the five senses. No advance reservation is required; participants can simply arrive at the venue during program hours.
(1) Rokko New Souvenir / Artist: Tada Kazuya
- Dates: September 20, September 27, October 11, October 25, November 15
- Hours: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Location: Museum Area (ROKKO Forest of Music, Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden, Shinike Pond) and nearby
- Admission: Free (separate viewing passport or admission fee required)
- Content: Look closely at artworks on display and create original Kobe Rokko Meets Art souvenirs to take home and display.
(2) Drawing Together / Artist: meju
- Dates: September 13, October 18, November 1, November 8, November 22, November 29
- Hours: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Location: Museum Area (ROKKO Forest of Music, Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden, Shinike Pond) and nearby
- Admission: Free (separate viewing passport or admission fee required)
- Content: Draw freely alongside the artist using everyday materials to create art to display at home. First-timers are welcome.
(3) Let's Play with Sound! Brass Band Jazz Parade / Artist: Big Mouth Brass Band
- Dates: August 30, September 6, October 4, November 3
- Hours: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Location: Rokko Garden Terrace Area and nearby
- Admission: Free (separate viewing passport or admission fee required)
- Content: March through the venue with a brass band. Participants are welcome to bring their own instruments. Clapping and singing along is also perfectly fine.
Interactive Art Available Every Day During the Festival
Future Post Office / Artist: Kaihatsu Yoshiaki
- Dates: Daily throughout the festival period
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Location: Official Art Shop Holti, inside the Rokko Garden Terrace Area
- Admission: ¥250
- Content: An interactive artwork in which a letter you write today will be delivered approximately one year later. Write to your future self, a friend, or your family.
Kobe Rokko Meets Art 2026 Beyond — Festival Overview
Period: August 29, 2026 (Saturday) to November 29, 2026 (Sunday)
Venues: Museum Area (ROKKO Forest of Music, Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden, Shinike Pond), Rokko Cable Car (lower and upper stations), Tenrandai, Hyogo Prefectural Rokko Mountain Visitor Center (Kinenhi-dai), Rokko Mountain Silence Resort (former Rokko Mountain Hotel), Rokko Garden Terrace Area, Rokko Shidare Nature Experience Observatory, Kaze no Kyokai (Church of the Wind) Area, and others
Hikari no Mori — Night Art Walk
The "Hikari no Mori" (Forest of Light) night experience will also run during the festival.
Period: Evenings on weekends and national holidays from September 19 (Saturday) to November 29 (Sunday), 2026
Venues: ROKKO Forest of Music, Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden
Viewing Passport
Adult = Junior high school students and above; Child = Ages 4 to elementary school; Ages 3 and under free
Note: The Rokko Shidare Nature Experience Observatory is open 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM; entry from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM is covered by the daytime passport and the day-and-night passport. The night passport does not grant entry to this facility.
For the latest information, visit the official Rokko Mountain portal website: https://www.rokkosan.com/
